Yi Jianlian was pulled aside by Flip Saunders an hour before their game on Tuesday against the Bulls and was told he would start for the first time since December 14th.
“It felt great. I feel very excited for the start,” Yi said afterward. “I haven’t been playing the last two months. Chance to tell myself, ‘Get ready. Be aggressive on the floor.’ ”
Yi scored seven of his season-high 14 points in the first period, but didn’t get many touches the rest of the game and was exhausted in the fourth quarter.
With Rashard Lewis and Andray Blatche on the shelf, Yi should receive consistent minutes to finish the season.
“For me it is a good opportunity to play for the rest of the season. Every minute for me is important,” Yi said. “Now I get some playing time. I got to use it to get ready for the future.”
Yi played a season-high 41 minutes against the Bulls.
“I think I got a little bit [tired] the last quarter” in Chicago, he said, “but now is much better. I haven’t been playing that much. I just need a little game feeling.”